Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Developing after Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

A 75-year-old man underwent endoscopic hemostatic therapy for hemorrhagic gastric ulcer in September 2002. After healing of the gastric ulcer, he underwent Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in February 2003. In August 2007, an irregular tumor was detected in the lower esophagus at annual checkup for gastric cancer screening using X-ray. Endoscopic examination showed that the lower margin of the tumor almost coincided with the esophagogastric junction and that a short segment of Barrett's epithelium existed near the tumor. Biopsies of the tumor showed moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Mild reflux esophagitis and minor hiatal hernia was also observed, and the previously treated gastric ulcer was not recurrent. Absence of H. pylori was confirmed by serum antibody and urea breath test. Surgical resection of the lower esophagus and proximal stomach was performed. The tumor invaded into the muscularis propria of the esophageal wall but had no evidence of lymph node metastasis. Based on macroscopic and pathological findings, the tumor was recognized as esophageal adenocarcinoma. Previous endoscopic examination did not detect any apparent signs of tumor in the esophagogastric junction. As far as we know, this is the first report documenting a newly developed esophageal adenocarcinoma after the successful eradication of H. pylori

鋳型走査電子顕微鏡による哺乳類脾臓の血管構築

The three-dimensional vascular arrangement of the mammalian spleen was investigated by means of injection replica scanning electron microscopy. The vascular arrangement of the white pulp and marginal zone in the mammalian spleen was divided into two groups: (1) the rat and mouse type, and (2) the human and dog type. In the rat and mouse, (a) the central artery gave rise to numerous follicular capillaries which usually terminated in the inner side of the marginal zone, (b) the follicular capillaries showed a small network in the germinal center, (c) the follicular capillaries occasionally entered into the marginal zone and terminated in the intercellular space, and (d) some of the penicillar arteries showed a centripetal course and enter into the white pulp to open into the marginal zone. In the human and dog, (a) follicular arteries gave off many arterial capillaries in the marginal zone shortly after penetration of the marginal zone, (b) recurrent branches of the penicillar artery entered into the marginal zone, (c) some of the recurrent branches entered into the follicle and supplied the follicular capillaries, (d) follicular capillaries orginated from vessels distributed in the marginal zone, recurrent branches of the penicillar arteries and follicular arteries, (e) the main sources of the follicular capillaries were from the vessels in the marginal zone, and (f) the follicular capillaries were chiefly distributed in the germinal center. The terminal end of the penicillar artery in the pulp cord was mostly open type in the mammalian spleen

Effects of moderate thermal anomalies on Acropora corals around Sesoko Island, Okinawa.

Over the past several decades, coral reef ecosystems have experienced recurring bleaching events. These events were predominantly caused by thermal anomalies, which vary widely in terms of severity and spatio-temporal distribution. Acropora corals, highly prominent contributors to the structural complexity of Pacific coral reefs, are sensitive to thermal stress. Response of Acropora corals to extremely high temperature has been well documented. However, studies on the effects of moderately high temperature on Acropora corals are limited. In the summer of 2016, a moderate coral bleaching event due to moderately high temperature was observed around Sesoko Island, Okinawa, Japan. The objective of this study was to examine thermal tolerance patterns of Acropora corals, across reefs with low to moderate thermal exposure (degree heating weeks ~2-5°C week). Field surveys on permanent plots were conducted from October 2015 to April 2017 to compare the population dynamics of adult Acropora corals 6 months before and after the bleaching events around Sesoko Island. Variability in thermal stress response was driven primarily by the degree of thermal stress. Wave action and turbidity may have mediated the thermal stress. Tabular and digitate coral morphologies were the most tolerant and susceptible to thermal stress, respectively. Growth inhibition after bleaching was more pronounced in the larger digitate and corymbose coral morphologies. This study indicates that Acropora populations around Sesoko Island can tolerate short-term, moderate thermal challenges

Electrophoretic Deposition as a New Bioactive Glass Coating Process for Orthodontic Stainless Steel

This study investigated the surface modification of orthodontic stainless steel using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of bioactive glass (BG). The BG coatings were characterized by spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. The frictional properties were investigated using a progressive load scratch test. The remineralization ability of the etched dental enamel was studied according to the time-dependent mechanical properties of the enamel using a nano-indentation test. The EPD process using alternating current produced higher values in both reflectance and lightness. Additionally, the BG coating was thinner than that prepared using direct current, and was completely amorphous. All of the BG coatings displayed good interfacial adhesion, and Si and O were the major components. Most BG-coated specimens produced slightly higher frictional forces compared with non-coated specimens. The hardness and elastic modulus of etched enamel specimens immersed with most BG-coated specimens recovered significantly with increasing immersion time compared with the non-coated specimen, and significant acid-neutralization was observed for the BG-coated specimens. The surface modification technique using EPD and BG coating on orthodontic stainless steel may assist the development of new non-cytotoxic orthodontic metallic appliances having satisfactory appearance and remineralization ability